CloudGen /Weather Toolkit User s Guide

Transcription

1 VI-3508 CloudGen /Weather Toolkit User s Guide for Version 1.0 Visidyne, Inc Encina Rd., Suite 208 Goleta, CA January 2000

2 Copyright 2000, Visidyne, Inc. - All rights reserved CloudGen, CloudRad and CloudTex are trademarks of Visidyne, Inc. CloudScape is a registered trademark of Visidyne, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ii

3 Abstract The CloudGen /Weather Toolkit is a member of the CloudScape family of computer codes for the modeling and real-time visualization of weather clouds. The CloudGen/Weather Toolkit generates databases describing 3-dimensional clouds. Particulate density, radiometric, facetized surfaces, and 2-dimensional textures can be generated. This document briefly describes the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit and provides instructions for its use. Key Words CloudGen CloudRad CloudTex CloudScape Clouds Visualization MOSART iii

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page 1 Introduction Getting Started Using the CloudGen /Weather Toolkit Trouble Shooting References iv

5 Section 1 Introduction The CloudGen /Weather Toolkit is a member of the CloudScape family of computer codes for the modeling and real-time visualization of weather clouds (DeVore, Thompson, Sartor, Stephens, and Thornburg, 1997). The CloudGen/Weather Toolkit provides easy, graphical control of the various tools and steps involved in producing databases for CloudScape VR. CloudScape VR is a COTS tool for adding weather clouds, munitions dust clouds, and other atmospheric obscurants to interactive simulations. Cloud models are based on three-dimensional particulate density databases produced by codes such as CloudGen /Weather and CloudGen/Munitions. CloudRad employs efficient, physics-based models of radiative transfer to produce radiometrically realistic, 3-dimensional models of clouds for wavelengths in both the visible and infrared. Cloud lighting includes solar or lunar, skyshine, earthshine, thermal and self shadowing. CloudTex can generate texture fields using stochastic methods and associate the textures with facetted cloud models. Figure 1-1 diagrams the process. CloudGen /Weather Particulate Database AtmosRad CloudRad MOSART Database CloudTex opencloud Database Texture Pattern Texture Attributes CloudScape VR Figure 1-1. Tools in the CloudGen /Weather Toolkit work together to support CloudScape VR. This report briefly describes describes the installation and use of the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit. Documentation of the radiative transfer models in CloudRad, which are essentially the 1-1

6 same as those in CloudScape AF, may be found in the papers by DeVore, Thompson, and Thornburg (1996) and by Thornburg, DeVore, Thompson, Jordano, and Stephens (1997). CloudScape Family Background CloudScape VR, CloudRad, and CloudGen are the outgrowth of Phase I and Phase II SBIR development efforts with the U.S. Air Force Phillips Laboratory to demonstrate a physicsbased approach to the quantitative modeling of the reflectivity, emissivity, and transmissivity of natural clouds. CloudScape VR is integrated with MultiGen-Paradigm s Vega 3-dimensional visual simulation software and is compatible with its SensorVision module, which renders backgrounds in real-time in any user-selected waveband from the ultraviolet through the infrared. Together they form an integrated, real-time, simulation environment for SGI workstations as diagrammed in Figure 1-2. CloudScape VR User Application SensorVision Vega Performer OpenGL SGI RE2 or ir Figure 1-2. CloudScape VR is part of an integrated simulation environment. 1-2

7 Section 2 Getting Started The CloudGen/Weather Toolkit delivery consists of a number of items. There is a primary Java program which provides the graphical user interface for initiating the various tools for generating the databases used by CloudScape VR. There are several Fortran executables, which perform the modeling calculations and generate the databases. There are also scripts for running the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit and sample case files. CloudGen/Weather Toolkit The CloudGen/Weather Toolkit is written in Java It can be started by invoking the runcgwt script. The Java Virtual Machine (JVM), version or later, must be installed to execute the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit. Database Executables The CloudGen/Weather model builder, CloudRad facetizer and radiometric database generator, the CloudTex stochastic texture generator, and two separate CloudScape database visualizer programs are written in Fortran 77. Note that the Fortran execution libraries must be installed in order to run these programs. Demo Case Files Input case description files for CloudGen/Weather, CloudRad, and CloudTex are included. Installation Instructions The CloudGen/Weather Toolkit distribution is prepared with SGI's software packager. To install the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit insert the distribution medium into the workstation. Invoke the Software Manager either by entering swmgr from a UNIX shell or selecting it from the Desktop Tools catalog. Then select cloudgenweathertoolkit and install. In order to execute the toolkit without logging out first remember to use the rehash command. 2-1

8 Section 3 Using the CloudGen /Weather Toolkit This section discusses using the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit as a whole. Individual tools are discussed in detail in the separate guides, CloudGen /Weather User's Guide, CloudRad User's Guide, and CloudTex User's Guide. To follow along with the demonstration case, first copy the necessary files using the C shell script provided by entering /usr/local/cloudgenweather/copydemo in the same directory from which the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit was invoked. Starting the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit The CloudGen/Weather Toolkit is started by entering runcgwt in a C shell window. The toolkit responds by opening the two windows shown in Figure 3-1. Topmost is the HelpBox window. It provides helpful tips for using the toolkit and tools. The HelpBox window is discussed in Section 4. To reduce screen clutter the HelpBox window may be "hidden" by clicking the window close button or selecting Hide Window from its Window menu. Figure 3-1. Initial windows presented by the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit upon starting. 3-1

9 The CloudGen/Weather Toolkit Flowchart Window The lower window in Figure 3-1 is the main window for the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit. A full view is shown in Figure 3-2. This window presents a flowchart of the tools and databases involved in preparing a weather cloud model for visualization in CloudScape. By clicking on the icons in this window the individual tools are activated. The rounded red icons represent individual tools. The rectangular green icons represent databases. The rounded CloudScape icon is shown in light grey since it is not part of this toolkit and cannot be initiated from this window. Figure 3-2. CloudGen/Weather Toolkit flowchart window. The title bar of the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit flowchart window advertises itself. At the top is the list of pull-down menus. The CloudGen/Weather Toolkit has two, named File and Help. Help Menu Figure 3-3 shows the Help pull-down menu. This menu is used to view the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit User s Guide and also to control showing of the HelpBox. The HelpBox is discussed in Section 4. Figure 3-3. Help menu. File Menu Figure 3-4 shows the File pull-down menu. Since a case description file is not used for the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit only the Quit item is active. Selecting Quit will cause the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit and all open tools to terminate and the window to close. 3-2 Figure 3-4. File menu.

10 CloudGen/Weather Tool - Generating Particulate Density Databases The CloudGen/Weather tool is used to generate gridded, particulate density databases. Clicking on the CloudGen/Weather icon (Figure 3-5) initiates the CloudGen/Weather tool. While the tool GUI is coming up the message box shown in Figure 3-6 is displayed urging patience. Figure 3-7 shows the CloudGen/Weather GUI. Instructions for using the CloudGen/Weather tool may be found in its user s guide, which is accessible from the Help menu in the CloudGen/Weather GUI window. Figure 3-5. To invoke the CloudGen/Weather tool click on its rounded red icon. Figure 3-6. Message Box which appears while the CloudGen/Weather tool is starting. Figure 3-7. The CloudGen/Weather tool GUI window. 3-3

11 3-D Particulate Density Database - View Density Databases The CloudGen/Weather tool may also be used to view gridded, particulate density databases. Clicking on the 3-D particulate Density icon (Figure 3-8) initiates the CloudGen/Weather tool. If the toolkit has information about a database already, it will open CloudGen/Weather to its View panel and display an X-Y view of the Z-axis integrals of mass density (Figure 3-9). The other viewing and modeling options are available in the CloudGen/Weather tool. If the toolkit does not know which database to display it will respond with a Message Box to that effect (Figure 3-10); when dismissed the CloudGen/Weather tool window is displayed. Figure 3-8. To view a density database click on the 3-D particulate Density icon. Figure Message box indicating the lack of knowledge of a database to view. Figure 3-9. Density integrals. CloudScape HF Image - View Density Databases Clicking on the CloudScape HF Image icon (Figure 3-11) has the same effect as clicking on the 3-D Particulate Density icon. Figure The CloudScape HF icon is an alternative to the 3-D Particulate Density icon. 3-4

12 AtmosRad - Generating Atmospheric Path Properties Databases CloudRad and CloudScape both use databases of the radiometric properties of the atmosphere outside of explicitly modelled clouds (cf Figure 1-1). These databases may be prepared with the U.S. Air Force's MOSART code (Cornette, et al., 1994) using the MOSART Atmospheric Tool, which is part of the SensorVision family of products. When it is finished the AtmosRad tool will provide an alternative graphical tool for preparing these databases. Currently, clicking on the AtmosRad icon (Figure 3-12) brings up a Message Box (Figure 3-13) indicating that the AtmosRad GUI is still under construction. Figure The AtmosRad icon. Figure Message box indicating that the AtmosRad GUI is still under construction. Atmospheric Path Database - Viewing Atmospheric Path Properties Databases The AtmosRad tool will provide for viewing the atmospheric path properties databases. Currently, clicking on the Atmospheric Path icon (Figure 3-14) brings up the Message Box shown in Figure Figure Atmospheric Path icon. 3-5

13 CloudRad Tool - Generating Radiometric, Facet Databases The CloudRad tool is used to generate facetized cloud surface databases from gridded particulate mass density databases. CloudRad also calculates the directional radiance and transmission at each cloud vertex. Clicking on the CloudRad icon (Figure 3-15) initiates the CloudRad tool. Figure 3-16 shows the CloudRad GUI. Instructions for using the CloudRad tool may be found in its user s guide, which is accessible from the Help menu in the CloudRad GUI window. Figure To invoke the CloudRad tool click on its rounded red icon. Figure The CloudRad tool GUI window. 3-6

14 Facetized Cloud Database - Viewing Radiometric, Facet Databases The CloudRad tool may also be used to view radiometric, facetized cloud databases. Clicking on Facetized Cloud icon (Figure 3-17) initiates the CloudRad tool. If the toolkit has information about a database already, it will open Figure To view a facetized cloud database click on the Facetized Cloud icon. CloudRad to its View panel and display transmission (Figure 3-18) and radiance (Figure 3-19). The other viewing and modeling options are available in the CloudRad tool. If the toolkit does not know which database to display it will respond with a Message Box to that effect (Figure 3-20); when dismissed the CloudRad tool window is displayed. Figure Transmission. Figure Radiance. Figure Message box indicating the lack of knowledge of a database to render. 3-7

15 CloudTex Tool - Generating Texture Databases The CloudTex tool is used to generate texture databases to work with radiometric facetized cloud databases. Clicking on the CloudTex icon (Figure 3-21) initiates the CloudTex tool. Figure 3-22 shows the CloudTex GUI. Instructions for using the CloudTex tool may be found in its user s guide, which is accessible from the Help menu in the CloudTex GUI window. Figure To invoke the CloudTex tool click on its rounded red icon. Figure The CloudTex tool GUI window. 3-8

16 Cloud Texture Databases - View Texture Databases The CloudTex tool may also be used to view texture patterns including their application to facetized cloud model databases. Clicking on the Cloud Texture icon (Figure 3-23) initiates the CloudTex tool. If the toolkit has information about a database already, it will open CloudTex to its Texture Pattern panel and display the texture pattern (Figure 3-24) as well as a description of the texture (Figure 3-25). The other viewing and modeling options are available in the CloudTex tool. If the toolkit does not know which database to display it will respond with a Message Box to that effect (Figure 3-26); when dismissed the CloudTex tool window is displayed. Figure To view texture databases click on the Cloud Texture icon. Figure Message box indicating the lack of knowledge of a database to view. Figure Texture pattern. Figure Texture description. 3-9

17 CloudScape Module - Visualize Radiometric Facetized Cloud Databases The CloudScape real-time visualization module is shown on the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit flowchart for completeness. Clicking on the CloudScape icon (Figure 3-27) brings up a Message Box window (Figure 3-28) stating that the CloudScape real-time visualization module has not yet been integrated into the Toolkit. Figure The CloudScape visualization module icon. Figure Message Box indicating that the CloudScape real-time visualization module has not yet been integrated into the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit. 3-10

18 Section 4 Trouble Shooting This section discusses a number of the warnings, error messages, and conditions that the user may come across. It begins with a discussion of the HelpBox window and viewing this guide electronically. HelpBox Window The HelpBox window (Figure 5-1) shows information about using the Toolkit. The Window menu in the HelpBox window (see the detail in Figure 5-2) allows the user to hide this window to cut down on screen clutter. The HelpBox window may be made visible by selecting Show Help Box from the Help menu (see the detail in Figure 5-3 below). Once one of the tools is started from the toolkit flowchart the message in the HelpBox window changes to reflect the data entry panel showing in the tool window. If more than one tool window is open, then the HelpBox message reflects the most recently opened data entry panel. To update the message to correspond to a Figure 5-1. The HelpBox window. Figure 5-2. Window menu in the HelpBox window. particular window may require clicking on the corresponding data entry panel button or selecting Show Help Box from the Help menu of the corresponding data entry panel. 4-1

19 Help Menu Figure 5-3 shows the Help pull-down menu. This menu is used to view the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit User s Guide as well as to control showing the HelpBox window. When Open User's Guide is selected the Toolkit invokes the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the CloudGen/Weather Toolkit User s Guide (Figure 5-4). The window can be resized, Figure 5-3. Help menu. if the screen is large enough, to show an entire page (Figure 5-5). Figure 5-4. The Adobe Acrobat Reader window showing the CloudGen /Weather Toolkit User s Guide. 4-2

20 Figure 5-5. The enlarged Adobe Acrobat Reader window showing the CloudGen /Weather Toolkit User's Guide. 4-3

21 Section 5 References Cornette, W.M., P.K. Acharya, D.C. Robertson, and G. P. Anderson, Moderate Spectral Atmospheric Radiance and Transmittance Code (MOSART), Version 1, 4 volumes, Phillips Laboratory, Geophysics Directorate, U.S. Air Force, Hanscom AFB, MA, DeVore, J.G., J.H. Thompson, and R.J. Thornburg, Physics-based Background Visualization from Volumetric Cloud Descriptions Using CloudScape, 1996 Meeting of the IRIS Specialty Group on Targets, Backgrounds and Discrimination, Volume 1, ERIM, Ann Arbor, MI, DeVore, J.G., J.H. Thompson, K.W. Sartor, T.L. Stephens, and R.J. Thornburg, CloudScape VR: Radiometric Visualization of Clouds for Interactive Training and Simulation, Proceedings of the Cloud Impacts on DoD Operations and Systems Conference, PL-TR , Phillips Laboratory, Hanscom AFB, MA, Thornburg, R.J., J.G. DeVore, J.H. Thompson, R.J. Jordano, and T.L. Stephens, Validation of CloudScape AF, Proceedings of the Cloud Impacts on DoD Operations and Systems Conference, PL-TR , Phillips Laboratory, Hanscom AFB, MA,